The body of this Bostitch nailer is made of magnesium, a strong and lightweight metal alloy. At 2.1 lb., this nailer might just be the lightest in its category. Try as I might, I couldn’t get the Bostitch to jam. It has what the manufacturer calls a sequential trip mechanism. I had to place the nailer against the workpiece, depress the safety guard, and then pull the trigger to fire a nail—in that order. If I didn’t let up on the trigger while placing the nailer against the workpiece again, the nailer would not fire.

This model can be converted to fire on contact with an optional kit. In the contact mode, once the trigger is pulled and held, the nailer will fire each time the safety guard is pressed against the workpiece. Should the nailer jam, four Allen-head screws that secure the driver-guide cover will have to be removed. An Allen wrench, supplied with the Bostitch nailer, mounts on the back of the nail carriage. Some nailers use latches to secure the driver-guide cover, a system that is more convenient.

A small nose on the Bostitch nailer made it easier to place a nail precisely, although the front-mounted safety guard slightly impeded my view. The depth-of-set adjuster dial on the front of the nailer was easy to read and use. A release lever on the nail carriage made it a breeze to open and close with one hand. The carriage also has a view port to keep track of the nail supply. When it dwindled, the view-port window flashed a red-flag alert.

Most brad nailers exhaust compressed air through the top of the head. In a welcome change, the Bostitch nailer exhausts air through the handle and out the back, so it doesn’t hit the operator in the face.

Tester Comments: Excellent performer. Lightweight body and rubber handle make it comfortable to use. Nail carriage is user-friendly. Exhaust-port location is ideal. It features a four-screw driver cover with a safety guard in front of the nose, and an exhaust port beneath the air coupler at the rear, but it lacks a belt hook.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Milwaukee M12 23-Gauge Cordless Pin Nailer

This tool is designed for convenience. The battery and pins are easy to load, and the safety lock operates with the same finger you use to pull the trigger. The depth of set is adjustable, there’s a work light, and there’s a hook for hanging the tool on your toolbelt. A gauge lets you keep track of when you’ll need to recharge.

Buy at Amazon

Festool Cleantec CT 26 E HEPA Dust Extractor

The clear winner here is Festool’s CT 48 Dust Extractor. It has amazing capacity relative to its size, and unmatched suction power. It packs in a number of subtle but very helpful design touches, like a clever foot brake and easy hose and cord storage.

Buy at Amazon

Makita SP6000J1 Track Saw

With enough power to slice through thick hardwoods, the Makita makes smooth, chip-free cuts in all materials.

Buy at Amazon